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Ammunition

Winchester Ammunition at Peak Production

Winchester Ammunition

winchester_ammunition1I have previously run articles about the increase in ammunition costs and ammunition shortages.  I have had a few people claim that the ammunition manufacturers were restricting supply to drive up prices.  Based on the contacts I have made in the industry, I knew that companies are producing as many rounds as they can, as quickly as they can.

However, it seems that the rumors persist.

Winchester Ammunition, in an effort to combat the notion that they, or anyone else, is cutting production, released this statement:

Winchester Ammunition, like other ammunition manufacturers, has seen the demand for our products increase significantly since last fall. To meet that increased demand, our operations are running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our team is literally working around the clock to make quality ammunition available for purchase. We remain absolutely committed to meeting the growing needs of our customers.

Update – Eventually the ammo shortages of 2009 eased up.  As supply increased, prices dropped.  That’s how a market economy works, don’t cha know.  I suggested (and so did a lot of other people) that shooters slowly build up supplies of ammo and reloading components for the calibers they shoot and/or load.

After several years of a soft market, the market panicked again in late 2012, and a ammo shortage hit again.  The 2012/2013 shortage seemed worse than the 2009 shortage in many ways.  Some calibers, like .22 LR and 9mm, were the hardest to find.  However, other rounds like 5.56/.223, .40 S&W and .45 ACP were also very difficult to locate.  People would stalk Walmart delivery trucks on delivery days hoping to be able to score a couple of boxes of their favorite caliber.

Demand for Winchester ammunition (and other brands) was such that 5.56 ball (and other calibers) was selling for more than $1000/case at times.  That seemed to be the top limit on the pricing, but there was a lot of push back from consumers as prices approached these prices.  Those prices were set by dealers, and not manufacturers like Winchester.

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Ammunition

Winchester Bonded PDX1 Personal Protection Ammunition

Winchester PDX1 308 ammo

Winchester Ammunition is bringing a new line of self defense ammo to the market in 2009: the Bonded PDX1 Personal Protection Ammunition.

The PDX1 Personal Protection Ammunition is “engineered to maximize terminal ballistics, as defined by the demanding FBI test protocol, which simulates real-world threats.” While I believe the protocol is a useful tool to make a side-by-side comparisons of different cartridges and bullet designs, I do not believe that it simulates “real world threats” for the vast majority of people who own firearms for self defense.

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Ammunition

Ruger LCP Ammo

Need some Ruger LCP ammo?  According to Michael Bane’s blog, a major ammunition manufacturer will bring a new .380 loading to the market that is specifically designed for the Ruger LCP. This is exciting, as two current problems exist with the current crop of ammunition and the LCP.

The first problem is the .380 ACP cartridge is an underpowered chambering. Generally, the .380 loads are weaker than what is available for the .38 Special. For self-defense, you need all the bang you can get.

The second problem is I have been getting some reports that the LCP is ammunition sensitive. Some popular cartridges are not feeding properly. This, of course, is a HUGE problem if it extends to the entire line of LCP’s and not just a few examples. One of the reports was posted as feedback here (scroll all the way down).

Time will tell who brings what to the market. However, Bane has a lot of good contacts and I expect this information is very reliable.  I expect we will see a variety of Ruger LCP ammo loads in the near future.

There are a number of smaller ammunition manufacturers who are producing .380 ACP ammo and I imagine they are testing the loads in the LCP.  They might not market the loads as “Ruger LCP ammo,” but I suspect that they are definitely testing it since it is such a popular handgun.  After all, if your ammo doesn’t work in one of the most popular concealed carry pistols, why would anyone buy it?

Update – November 2008:  Hornady has introduced a new line of ammunition: Critical Defense.  The Hornady Critical Defense ammunition is designed for self-defense from small handguns like the Ruger LCP.  I’m not sure this is the ammunition that Bane was hinting at, but it certainly fits.  More information about the Critical Defense ammo can be found here.

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Ammunition

New Fusion Sabot Slug for 20 Gauge Shotgun

Fusion, a division of ATK, introduced a new deer hunting load in 20-gauge. The new cartridge is a 3/4 ounce slug in a 2 3/4″ shell. At the muzzle, the slug is running 1600 fps for 1864 foot-pounds of energy, making this a very potent load for the 20-gauge hunters.

The 20 gauge Fusion features:

  • Copper jacket is electro-chemically applied to the core through a sophisticated and
    refined molecular application technique;
  • Formed under consistent pressure for complete dimensional control and slug integrity;
  • Perfectly uniform jacket;
  • Skived, pre-programmed nose provides consistent expansion; and
  • Maximum weight retention for deep penetration.

With more than 1800 ft-lbs of energy, this slug will penetrate deep and deliver a knock-out blow to humanely kill the animal.  The benefit to the hunter is this shell will give you less of a pounding than a 12 gauge load.  This load is a good 50-100 yard shell depending on your gun and abilities.

I would expect that this load would also make a good self-defense round.  What will take a deer, will also put an armed attacker down as well.  Just make sure you hit your target, because that 3/4 ounce slug will pop straight through a sheetrock wall like a hot knife through butter.

Fusion branded ammo is made by Federal and is situated to be very good quality ammunition but at reasonable prices.  The Fusion line is not a “budget” or “cheap” line of ammo.  Instead, it is priced to be a step below the top premium rounds, but still above the cheap lines like American Eagle.  The Fusion line will provide very good performance, and will likely fill the needs of all but the pickiest of hunters.

Update

Federal Premium eliminated the 3/4 oz slug from the Fusion line of 20 gauge ammo. A similar load can still be had in the Federal PowerShok line, but not in the Fusion line.

As a replacement, Federal now offers a pair of 7/8 ounce Fusion Sabot Slugs: one as a 2 3/4″ shell, and the other as a 3″ shell. They run 1450 fps and 1550 fps respectively. Both are suitable for taking deer to the 100-125 yard range.

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Ammunition

Hornady Introduces New .22 WMR Ammo Using VMAX Bullet

Hornady 22 wmr
Hornady has introduced new .22 WMR ammunition using the VMAX bullet. The new 22 Magnum cartridge pushes a 30 grain VMAX bullet at 2200 fps (322 foot/pounds of energy).

The V-MAX bullet is a polymer tipped hollow point that allows for excellent expansion while increasing the ballistic coefficient.  Having a polymer tip ensures the bullet will expand because it prevents the hollow point from being clogged.  Additionally, the tip compresses on impact, which in turn presses against the inside of the cavity, helping to force the bullet open.

Hornady claims that the new ammo is the “finest product in its class,” and offers “accuracy never seen before from this cartridge.” Reviews from shooters on MidwayUSA’s website have posted they are getting groups of .125″ – .781″ at 100 yards with this ammo.  By any reasonable standard, those are very good groupings – especially out of a rimfire round.

This ammunition should be an excellent varmint round.  I could see this being used by hunters to about 125 or so yards depending on the animal.

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